Adjustable table.



J. o. LEWIS. ADJUSTABLE TABLE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.1B. 1907.`

PATNTLD FEB. 11, 190s.

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PATBNTBD PEB. 11, 1908.

J. C. LEWIS.

ADJUSTABLE TABLE.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 1a. 1907.

. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

JESSE C. LEWIS, OF MILFORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

ADJUSTABLE TAB LE Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 11, 1908.

Application filed September 18. 1907. Serial No. 393.425.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that lf, JESSE C. LEWIS, a citizen of the United States, residing in Milford, in the county of Hillsboro and State of New Hampshire, have invented new and useful Improvements in Adjustable Tables, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved adjustable table adapted particularly for reading and writing purposes and especially intended for use in libraries, studies, readingrooms and offices.

` The nature of the invention is fully described below, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved table with the arm-rests raised or extended and the top in a level position. Fig. 2 is a view of the under side with the parts in the same position. Fig. 3 is an end view with the parts in the same position. Fig. 4 is an end view with the arm-rests dropped and the top swung u into an inclined position. Fig. 5 1s a vertica section taken on line 5-5, Fig. 2, showing the arm-rests dropped and the top swung up. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail taken transversely through the horizontal roove in the top of the table. Fi 7 is an en arged detail taken longitudinal y through said groove.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Reference numeral 10 refers to the sidebars, and 11 tothe end-bars which constitute the supporting frame, and 12 represents suitable legs for supporting said frame. Pivotally secured at 13 to the upper ed e of the front side-bar 10 of the frame 1s the at tabletop 14. This top is provided at its front edge with a guard-rest or bead 15 by means of which books are prevented-.from sli ping off the front edge of the table, especially when the table is in the inclined position indicated in Figs. 4 and 5.

The surface of the table is provided between the guard-rest 15 and the rear edge-i preferably somewhat nearer the rear edgewith the longitudinal groove 16 parallel with the guard-rest 15, and within this groove is adjustably disposed a resting-bar 17. A series of passages 18 extend from the groove downward through the table-top 14 (Figs. 6 and 7), and adjusting screws 19 extend up through said passages and are connected at their upper ends 'with plates 20 which are secured to the under side of the resting-bar lie on the table above the bar when said table is-inclined; or by operating the screws the resting-bar may be lowered intothe position indicated in Fig. 3 in which it is flush with the surface of the table, if desired, as might be the case if the table were in a horizontal position. The table is adapted to be swung up and held in such raised position by means of a swinging ratchet-bar which is pivotally secured at 22 to the under side of said table, and extends down through an opening 23 in a cross-bar 24 which is supported by the side-bars 10 of the frame. This ratchet-bar consists of the two parts 25 and 26 which are hinged to each other at 27 and thus constitute a jointed ratchet-bar Whose lower portion is adapted to swing longitudinally with the table. When the table-top is horizontal, the upper portion 25 of the ratchet-bar lies in the opening 28, and the lower portion 26 is swung up under the cross-bar 24, and held preferably frictiontight in the horizontal position indicated in Fig. 2 and thus kept practically out of sight. When the table-top is to be swung up the two parts of the ratchet-bar are swung into line, and as the table is lifted the toothed edge of said bar is held by a spring 28 against and in engagement with a horizontal locking-rod 29 which is secured to the crosspiece 24 and extends across the opening 23,

said spring being secured at one end at 30 to the rear side-bar 1 0 -all as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 5. The table-top has pivoted at 31 to its under side behind the frame a depending longitudinal board 32 (Fig, 5), and the top has rigidly secured to its under side within the frame and next the end-bars 11 a pair of substantially segment-shaped boards or guards 33 (Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5). By means of the swinging board 32 and the transverse boards or guards 33, when the table is swung up a `finish is provided whereby the parts within the frame are hidden.

Pivotally secured at 34 to the upper edge of the front side-bar 10 are a pair of leaves 35 whose inner edges are shaped or hollowed out at 36 so that when said leaves are raised and in a horizontal position there is room 'sitting at the table.

between them for the form of the person These leaves, which are adapted to be used as arm-rests, or for holding a lamp, for example, are supported in such horizontal position by means of horizontal tubes 37 which are supported slidingly by horizontal rods 38, the rear ends of said rods being secured to the rear side-bar 10, and the tubes 37 extending through and being supported slidingly by the front sidebar 10. Preferably I apply small blocks or plates 39 to the under surfaces of the armrests 35, said plates resting directly on the tubes when they are drawn forward for the purpose of supporting the arm-rests. Suitable stops 40 are applied to the tubes 37 behind the front side-bar 10 whereby said tubes are prevented from becoming detached from the rods 88.

Preferably I apply a small drawer 4l centrally to the frame of the table between the arm-rests. It will thus be seen that the table when its top is raised can support at Vleast two rows of books which are prevented by the guard-rest l5 and the bar 17 from sliding off the table or into contact with each other; that when such table-top is in a raised position the internal construction is hidden by the parts 32 and 33; that if desired the surface of the top of the table may be rendered unbroken by lowering the bar 17 into its groove; that when the table-top is horizontal the ratchet-bar may be swung up into an inconspicuous position; and that leaves may be swung up into level positions and used either for supporting the arms or for adding to the available area of the top, or may be swung down out of the way, as desired.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent-is:-

1. In an adjustable table, a stationary supporting frame, a table-top hinged at its front edge to the front portion of said frame, mechanism for supporting said table-top when raised in an inclined position, and a longitudinal guard-board pivotally connected at its upper edge'with the under side of the table-top at an appreciable distance in front of the rear edge of said table-top and hanging substantially vertically therefrom behind and near the frame, and adapted when the table-top is raised to provide a iinish between said table-top and frame and to hang snugly against the latter.

2. In an adjustable table, a stationary supporting frame, a table-top hinged at its front edge to the front portion of said frame, a jointed ratchet-bar hinged at its upper end to the under surface of the table-top and hanging vertically therefrom, a locking-rod supported by the frame of the table, and a spring holding the ratchet-bar normally in engagement with the locking-rod, whereby when the table-top is level the lower end of the ratchet-bar may be swung up into a substantially horizontal position.

3. In an adjustable table, a stationary supporting frame, a table-top hinged at its front edge to the front portion of said frame and provided with a horizontal longitudinal groove in its upper surface said groove being interseeted by passages in the table-top which extend downward through said tabletop, mechanism for supporting said tabletop in an inclined position, a horizontal resting-bar in said groove, vertically disposed adjusting screws extending upward through said passages into engagement with said resting-bar, and screw-threaded plates secured to the under side of the table-top at the lower ends of said passages and adapted to receive the threaded portions of said screws, whereby the resting bar may be raised and lowered in a vertical line with relation to the surface of the table-top, for the purpose set forth.

4. In an .adjustable table, a supporting frame, a table-top supported by the frame, arm-rests pivotally secured at their rear edges to the front edge of the table-top, and telescopically arranged rods horizontally supported by the frame and with their forward tubular portions extending slidingly through the front wall of said frame and adapted to be drawn forward and -act as supports for the arm-rests.

5. In an adjustable table, a supporting frame, a table-top, arm-rests hinged to the front edge of the table-top near its opposite ends and with their inner edges hollowed out to receive between them the form of the person sitting at the table when said armrests are raised, and means for sustaining the arm-rests in a raised horizontal position.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JESSE C. LEWIS.

Witnesses:

HENRY W. WILLIAMS, M. A. ATwooD. 

